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Coffs Harbour trainer Shannon Fry hopes his handy mare Sofin can turn around a winless campaign to date by taking Friday’s $20,000 DFK Crosbie/AHA Krambach Cup (1600m) at Taree.

The mare’s form hasn’t been bad, far from it, but she hasn’t saluted in eight starts this time around.

The six-time winner from 26 starts got at a Patinack dispersal sale and raced by South West Rocks based Byron Fegan, will appreciate a drop in grade from recent starts Fry reasoned.

“Her runs haven’t been bad. She’s raced without much luck in a number of runs,” Fry added. “She’s been in a lot tougher races lately and Friday does look a nice race for her.

“She had a couple of paddock injuries early on this preparation which held us back.”

Despite being winless Fry said the mare had continued to keep her prizemoney levels ticking over.

“She’s been racking up prizemoney with placing’s,” Fry said. “She’s won around $17,000 this campaign so she’s more than paid her way but a win would be nice. She deserves one.”

Going back three runs when runner-up at Wyong to Skyline Blush over 1600m on August 30, Sofin went off her tucker and Fry believes it had an effect on her past two runs at Newcastle and Sydney, the latest when she took up an unusual role as leader over 1900m at Canterbury on October 7.

“She wasn’t a happy horse for some reason,” he suggested. “It took over a week to get her back but it had a hangover effect.

“She’s right back on her tucker now, eating well and working well.

“She’s not a big heavy set mare and now she’s put back on the weight which is good. This is the best she’s looked in her last three runs.

“I’m more than happy with her.”

Fry said he was keen to head back to Sydney for an 1800m event but he bowed to the owner’s wishes by staying locally.

“Having Raymond Spokes back on board will be good. He knows her inside out,” Fry added.

Sofin will carry 59kg and launches from barrier five.